Short zoom for Canon camera: advice needed!

[Massimo Grion]

Hello everybody,
I'm looking for a general purpose zoom (mainly landscapes, some interiors, portraits etc ) to upgrade my Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Lens.

Many choices, I know, but since I cannot stretch my budget so much, I'd like to know which lens you would suggest if you only could have one (a question often asked, I guess, but please bear with me ;)).

The Canon line offers many, qood quality lenses, such as:

• Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens
• Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8 L USM Lens (if I can find it somewhere ...)
• Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L USM Lens
• ...

I don't know much about third-party lenses, but I'm open to suggestions ...

I've been quite satisfied with the range offered by my zoom, but I'm looking for better optical performance; I don't know though if I can trade IS with a fast aperture when shooting in low-lighting conditions (e.g. interiors)

Thank you in advance for your advice,

Max

[John Chardine]

Massimo- The 24-105 is an IS lens. I have it and like it and would not part with it. This one matches your original lens' FL range as well. On a 1.6 crop factor body (not sure what you have), 24 mm has the field of view equivalent to a 38 mm lens on a full-frame body so not the best for interiors but excellent for landscapes, portraits etc. I use mine to do family portrait shoots and it sings!

[Michael Pancier]

what type of camera are you using? Full frame or 1.6x crop?

The 24-105L is a great all purpose lens, though it vignettes at 24mm on full frame bodies.

The 24-70 2.8L is the sharpest and best zoom out there, but you have no IS, and you're short on the tele side. I've relegated that lens for portraits and indoor shots; but for outdoors esp. when hiking, when weight's an issue, you can't beat the 24-105L.

I hear that Tamron has a multi purpose zoom out there. I think James reviewed the Nikon version of the lens. I think it's something like 18-250 for the cropped sensor cameras only.

[Roger Clark]

I have a 28-135 IS that I really like. Sometimes it is the only lens I take (e.g. on a business trip when I can't take a lot of gear).

Roger

[Massimo Grion]

Thank you everybody! I mean to use it mainly on a 1.3x crop camera, but I'm not so much concerned with reduced wide angle (usually not my sort of photography), although it would come handy for some landscape shots ... Will be IS a good substitute of f/2.8 for hand-held shots? Will the 24-105 accept a tripod collar as well?
Thanks,
Max

[Michael Pancier]

Thank you everybody! I mean to use it mainly on a 1.3x crop camera, but I'm not so much concerned with reduced wide angle (usually not my sort of photography), although it would come handy for some landscape shots ... Will be IS a good substitute of f/2.8 for hand-held shots? Will the 24-105 accept a tripod collar as well?
Thanks,
Max

I don't believe either the 24-70L 2.8 or the 24-105 4.0L accept tripod collars. Don't really need it as it is not as large or heavy as say a 70-200 2.8L or a 180L prime.

I'd say then go with the 24-105L. It's lighter and more versatile and a sharp lens.

[Robert Amoruso]

I have and use the 24-105mm IS L. Great for landscape and all around use. I cover the super-wide with a 17-40mm L Canon and even wider with a 10-20mm Sigma (mostly for my 50D)